Louisville, November 27, 2025
In Louisville, Kentucky, various community organizations are dedicated to helping families in need by offering free Thanksgiving meals and food baskets. Events such as those organized by Fern Creek Highview United Ministries, New Legacy Reentry Corporation, Emmanuel Baptist Church, and others highlight the collective effort to support individuals facing food insecurity. These initiatives aim to ensure every resident can enjoy a traditional holiday meal and feel the warmth of community support during the festive season.
Louisville, Kentucky: Community Organizations Provide Free Thanksgiving Meals and Food Baskets to Families in Need
In Louisville, Kentucky, several community organizations have stepped forward to support families in need by offering free Thanksgiving meals and food baskets. These initiatives aim to ensure that all residents can enjoy a festive holiday meal, regardless of their financial situation.
Fern Creek Highview United Ministries Distributes Over 400 Thanksgiving Baskets
On November 26, 2025, Fern Creek Highview United Ministries distributed more than 400 Thanksgiving baskets to local families. The drive-thru event allowed families to receive boxes filled with non-perishable food items and gift cards for fresh produce and meats. The executive director noted a 40% increase in the number of families seeking assistance during the holidays, highlighting the growing need within the community. Volunteers, including local students, played a crucial role in the swift distribution of the baskets.
New Legacy Reentry Corporation and Cole World Host 6th Annual Thanksgiving-To-Go
On November 26, 2025, New Legacy Reentry Corporation, in partnership with Cole World, hosted the 6th Annual Thanksgiving-To-Go event at Garvin Place. This initiative provided free Thanksgiving meals to attendees and offered access to New Legacy’s Free Supply Mall, which includes clothing, toiletries, and other essential items, aiming to support individuals in need during the holiday season.
Emmanuel Baptist Church Offers Free Thanksgiving Dinner in West Louisville
Emmanuel Baptist Church in West Louisville, in collaboration with Sheryl Fox Ministries, provided a free Thanksgiving dinner on November 17, 2023. The meal included ham, turkey, green beans, and other traditional dishes, and was open to all community members without the need for identification or explanation. Organizers emphasized the importance of offering support to those in need during the holidays.
House on the Hill Packs 1,000 Boxes of Food Donations
House on the Hill, a nonprofit organization in Bowling Green, Kentucky, organized a food packing event on November 20, 2025, where over 160 volunteers assembled 1,000 boxes of food donations. These boxes were distributed to families in need, ensuring that approximately 5,000 people would have access to food during the Thanksgiving holiday. The event set a new record for the organization in terms of box preparation time.
Wayside Christian Mission Serves Free Thanksgiving Meals
On Thanksgiving Day, Wayside Christian Mission in Louisville served up to 3,000 free plates to individuals in need. The event was supported by over 400 volunteers who helped prepare and serve meals, including 90 turkeys and various traditional Thanksgiving dishes. The mission emphasized the importance of community involvement and the impact of volunteers in making the event successful.
West Louisville Food Pantry Provides Free Thanksgiving Dinners
The Sister Visitor Center, a food pantry in West Louisville, distributed free Thanksgiving dinner boxes to community members. Each box contained holiday staples such as green beans, gravy, dessert, and a 9-pound turkey, made possible by a donation of 50 frozen turkeys from St. Michael’s Catholic Church. The center highlighted the growing need for assistance and expressed gratitude for the community’s support.
Louisville Native Organizes Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway in NuLu
On November 16, 2025, Louisville native Ollie Hinkle organized a community giveaway in NuLu, distributing more than 150 turkeys, Thanksgiving sides, and other staples to local families. The event aimed to support families during the holiday season, especially in light of challenges such as changes to SNAP benefits. Hinkle expressed a desire to continue and expand the tradition in the coming years.
Maryhurst Leads Thanksgiving Food Drive
Maryhurst, a nonprofit organization in Louisville, led a Thanksgiving food drive to provide baskets of holiday food for families in their program. The drive focused on collecting non-perishable items such as canned vegetables, stuffing mix, and pie fillings. The initiative aimed to ensure that each family could have a plentiful meal for Thanksgiving.
Feed the City, Inc. Hosts Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Box Giveaway
Feed the City, Inc., a Louisville-based organization, hosted its 24th Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Box Giveaway on November 25, 2025. The event provided free Thanksgiving meals to families in need, with distribution starting at 11 a.m. at the Parkland Boys and Girls Club. The organization emphasized the importance of community support and the impact of volunteers in making the event successful.
Salvation Army Louisville Provides Food Boxes and Meals
The Salvation Army Louisville combats food insecurity by distributing over 1,600 food boxes annually to feed more than 3,000 people. The Red Kettle Café serves hot meals daily, including special holiday meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas. The organization partners with Dare to Care to provide these services and relies on community support to continue its mission.
St. Matthews Area Ministries (St. MAM) Collects Thanksgiving Meal Baskets
St. Matthews Area Ministries (St. MAM) partners with Beargrass Christian Church to collect Thanksgiving meal baskets for families in need. The initiative involves packing reusable grocery bags with items such as stuffing mix, canned vegetables, and cake mix. The program aims to provide families with the essentials for a Thanksgiving feast.
La Soupe and Freestore Foodbank Address Food Insecurity
La Soupe, a Cincinnati-based nonprofit organization, rescues discarded food to produce meals for those experiencing food insecurity. The organization collaborates with various partners to distribute meals to individuals and families in need. Similarly, the Freestore Foodbank serves as the largest emergency food and services provider in Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana, distributing 24 million meals annually to low-income individuals and families.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What organizations in Louisville provided free Thanksgiving meals and food baskets to families in need?
Several organizations in Louisville provided free Thanksgiving meals and food baskets to families in need, including Fern Creek Highview United Ministries, New Legacy Reentry Corporation, Emmanuel Baptist Church, House on the Hill, Wayside Christian Mission, the Sister Visitor Center, Maryhurst, Feed the City, Inc., the Salvation Army Louisville, and St. Matthews Area Ministries (St. MAM).
How many Thanksgiving baskets did Fern Creek Highview United Ministries distribute?
Fern Creek Highview United Ministries distributed more than 400 Thanksgiving baskets to local families.
What was included in the Thanksgiving baskets provided by Fern Creek Highview United Ministries?
The Thanksgiving baskets included non-perishable food items and gift cards for fresh produce and meats.
Who organized the 6th Annual Thanksgiving-To-Go event at Garvin Place?
The 6th Annual Thanksgiving-To-Go event at Garvin Place was organized by New Legacy Reentry Corporation, in partnership with Cole World.
How many volunteers participated in the Wayside Christian Mission’s Thanksgiving meal event?
Over 400 volunteers participated in Wayside Christian Mission’s Thanksgiving meal event.
What was the donation that enabled the Sister Visitor Center to provide free Thanksgiving dinners?
The Sister Visitor Center was able to provide free Thanksgiving dinners thanks to a donation of 50 frozen turkeys from St. Michael’s Catholic Church.
How many turkeys and Thanksgiving sides were distributed in NuLu by Ollie Hinkle?
In NuLu, Ollie Hinkle distributed more than 150 turkeys, Thanksgiving sides, and other staples to local families.
What is the mission of Maryhurst in relation to Thanksgiving food assistance?
Maryhurst’s mission is to provide Thanksgiving food assistance by collecting non-perishable items to create baskets of holiday food for families in their program.
How many food boxes does the Salvation Army Louisville distribute annually?
The Salvation Army Louisville distributes over 1,600 food boxes annually to feed more than 3,000 people.
What is the purpose of St. Matthews Area Ministries (St. MAM) in collecting Thanksgiving meal baskets?
St. Matthews Area Ministries (St. MAM) collects Thanksgiving meal baskets to provide families with the essentials for a Thanksgiving feast.
| Event/Organization | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Fern Creek Highview United Ministries | November 26, 2025 | Distributed over 400 Thanksgiving baskets containing non-perishable items and gift cards. |
| New Legacy Reentry Corporation & Cole World | November 26, 2025 | Hosted 6th Annual Thanksgiving-To-Go, providing free meals and essential items. |
| Emmanuel Baptist Church | November 17, 2023 | Provided free Thanksgiving dinner to community members without identification required. |
| Wayside Christian Mission | Thanksgiving Day 2025 | Served up to 3,000 free meals with over 400 volunteers. |
| Sister Visitor Center | November 2025 | Distributed Thanksgiving boxes filled with holiday staples. |
| Feed the City, Inc. | November 25, 2025 | Hosted 24th Annual Turkey Box Giveaway. |
| Salvation Army Louisville | Ongoing | Distributes over 1,600 food boxes annually and provides daily meals. |
| St. Matthews Area Ministries | Ongoing | Collects Thanksgiving meal baskets to help families in need. |
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